From: rich <
richarra@gmail.com>
October 5th - St. Placidus and his Companions, Martyrs
by Fr. Francis Xavier Weninger, 1876
St. Placidus, a religious of the Order of St. Benedict, was born at
Rome. Tertullus, his father, was greatly esteemed in the city, not
only for his ancient nobility but also for his great wisdom, which
raised him to the highest offices of the state. As he was as pious as
he was noble, rich and learned, he gave Placidus in charge of St.
Benedict, when the child had not yet reached his 7th year. Placidus
made such progress in learning and in all Christian virtues, that he
served as an example even to the religious, and when further advanced
in years, he desired to be admitted among the disciples of St.
Benedict. Tertullus not only consented to his son's wish, but also
gave the holy Founder several estates, which lay not far from Monte
Cassino, that the monastery which he had begun might be completed, and
that he might have means to maintain it. Besides this, he gave him an
estate in Sicily, consisting of 18 villages, as he thought that his
property could not be better used than in the maintenance of those who
served God zealously, and who faithfully educated the young.
Some who lived in the neighborhood of this estate, were displeased at
this generous gift, and each of them appropriated as much of the
ground as he could to himself. Benedict, informed of this, thought it
best to send Placidus to Sicily; for, though he was only 21 years of
age, he possessed such deeply rooted virtue and was endowed with such abilities, that the holy Founder promised himself the best result from
his mission. Fortified with the blessing of the Saint and accompanied
by two religious, Placidus commenced his journey. The Almighty favored
him with many miracles on the way. He restored two sick persons to
health, he gave sight to a blind man, and speech and hearing to the
dumb and deaf, and cast out the unclean spirits from the possessed.
The fame of these miracles spread quickly, and had reached Sicily
before the Saint's arrival. Hence he was received with great honors
and had but little difficulty in regaining possession of that portion
of the estate which had been usurped by others.
Having happily concluded this affair, with the consent of St.
Benedict, he selected a suitable spot whereon to build a monastery for
the order. He chose a place not far from the harbor of Messina, where
he erected a monastery and a chapel. As soon as he had made his
dwelling there with his brethren, several came who desired to live
under his guidance. He received them, and led them in the path of
perfection with so much wisdom and ability, that they all loved and
honored him like a father. Not only by words, but also, and more
especially, by his example, did he teach those under him. He devoted
many hours to prayer, which he seldom performed without tears. During
Lent, he partook of bread and water, on Sundays, Tuesdays and
Thursdays; on the other days he abstained from food altogether. He
never tasted wine, and always wore his rough hair-shirt. He gave very
little time to rest at night and slept sitting. He was very
circumspect in speaking, and never permitted any one to say a
disparaging word of a neighbor in his presence, as he himself never
spoke ill of others. He was kind and good to all, and no one ever saw
him angry, which is surely worthy of admiration. Each moment he
endeavored to use to a good purpose; he was never idle, but always
occupied in good works.
He had two brothers and a sister, who resided at Rome, but who went to
visit him in Sicily, as they had heard so much that was praiseworthy
spoken of their brother. Soon after their arrival, it happened that
Manucha, a powerful pirate of the Moorish king of Africa, and a bitter
enemy of the Christians, sailed into the harbor of Messina, and
invaded the monastery of St. Placidus. After having robbed and
plundered the whole building, the barbarians took St. Placidus, his
two brothers, his sister, the two monks whom St. Benedict had given
him as companions, with 30 other religious, as prisoners. Manucha
commanded them to deny Christ, but as they refused to obey him, the
pirate commenced to torture them, especially St. Placidus, as he
encouraged the others to remain constant. The savage daily invented a
new torment: they were most cruelly scourged; hung up by the feet over
a fire, so that the smoke might suffocate them; and as this did not
kill them, they were hung by their hands, with heavy stones tied to
their feet, besides being tortured in numberless other ways. St.
Placidus, who, during all this terrible suffering, did not cease to
sing praises to God, had all his teeth knocked out with a stone, and
his tongue torn from his mouth. Seeing at length that they could not
be conquered, the inhuman tyrant had them all beheaded.
Memorable was the end of Flavia, the sister of St. Placidus, Manucha
had her brought before him, and endeavored to make her deny Christ.
When he perceived that he could gain no power over her, he ordered her
to-be hung up by the feet, and scourged most barbarously. He then said
to her: "You pretend to be a noble Roman lady, and are not ashamed to
appear naked!" Flavia answered: " What I suffer for the Christian
faith cannot dishonor me. Do you not know any other torments? I am
ready to suffer and to die." Manucha, enraged at these words, gave her
up to his servants. This was more terrible to the chaste virgin than
all other suffering, and she called on God for aid. The Almighty
delayed not to succor her. When the wretches went to seize her, their
arms became powerless, and thus the purity of the virgin was saved.
She ended her life by the sword.
See more at:
http://catholicharboroffaithandmorals.com/St.%20Pacidus%20and%20Companions.= html
Saint Quote:
An evil thought defiles the soul
when it is deliberate and consented to.
Our Lord placed evil thoughts at the head of all crimes,
because they are their principle and source.
--St. John Baptist de la Salle
Bible quote:
"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye
shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye
shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than
raiment?" =C2 (Mat 6:25)
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Prayer Against Anger
O MOST meek Jesus, Prince of Peace, who, when Thou wast reviled,
reviled not, and on the Cross didst pray for Thy murderers: implant in
our hearts the virtues of gentleness and patience, that, restraining
the fierceness of anger, impatience, and resentment, we may overcome
evil with good, for Thy sake love our enemies, and as children of our
heavenly Father seek Thy peace and evermore rejoice in Thy love.
Amen.
--- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
* Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)